While Airbus SAS has enjoyed an early surge of orders for its new re-engined A320 in recent weeks, the price gap between the so-called A320neo and Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft widened Tuesday.

Airbus said it was increasing the list price of all its aircraft by 4.4% beginning in January, with the exception of the A380, which increases by a whopping 8.4% to US$375.3-million.

“As we continue to ramp-up production rates to meet the unprecedented global demand for Airbus aircraft, the required industrial investments we are making, coupled with a weak dollar, necessitates raising our aircraft prices across the board,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, in a statement.

“Moreover, the A380’s further price adjustment reflects the type’s exceptional value it clearly generates for its operators, with whom it has exceeded all expectations in service,” he added.

But the price increases could provide a boost for competitors like Bombardier, who is aggressively competing against Airbus and its A320neo with its CSeries family of aircraft.

Airbus said Tuesday the list price of the A320neo will grow to between US$83.9 million for the smallest version and US$105.9-million for the largest version.

The re-engined Airbus A320 family costs on average US$6.2-million more than the original A319, A320, and A321 designs, the company said.

While manufacturers typically offer a 25% to 30% discount off the list price to their customers, the list price of the A320neo is substantially higher than the list price of the CSeries.

The smaller 110-seat CSeries, the CS100, lists at $55-million, while the larger CS300 130-seat version lists at $63-million, said John Arnone, Bombardier spokesman.

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